Bag dispenser



Oct- 9, 1962 w. P. MANNHARDT 3,057,511

BAG DISPENSER Filed Jan. 20, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 'i WilbertRMam-xlzarclt fH'tornegS Oct. 9, 1962 W. P. MANNHARDT BAG DISPENSER 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 20, 1960 Inven'1or Wilbert P. Mannhard t Bg,gmx:

:l1-Horne grs United States Patent @A 3,057,511 BAG DiSPENSER Wilbert P.Mannhardt, Park Ridge, lil., assigner to W. Mannhardt & Son, Chicago,Iii., a partnership of Illinois Filed Jan. 2d), 1960, Ser. No. 3,533 2Claims. (Cl. 221-75) The present invention relates to a device fordispensing bags `for use with an automatic vending machine or the like.

For many types of automatic vending machines which will sell apredetermined quantity of product from a bulk supply of that product, itis necessary to -provide the purchaser with a receptacle in which toreceive and carry the quantity of the product that he purchases.Products which might be dispensed in such a manner would include iceeither in crushed or cube form, candy, nuts, popcorn, etc.

Bags are particularly desirable for use as containers for such productsnot only because of their relatively inexpensive cost but also becausethey can be folded so as to occupy little space until the time that theyare to be iilled. In some instances it is possible to provide a holderfull of bags adjacent -to the vending machine to be extracted and usedby purchasers as required. However, with unattended machines the bagswill be taken and used by individuals for purposes other than receivingthe material that they buy from the vending machine. Not only will thisincrease the cost to the vending machine operator, but purchasers orprospective purchasers may become disgruntled or irate when there arenot bags available to them for use in receiving the material that thepurchaser wished to purchase. For the foregoing reasons, it usually isnecessary with an unattended vending machine to provide apparatus fordispensing a bag to the purchaser prior to the time that the materialthat he purchases is dispensed.

The principal object of my invention is to provide an automatic bagdispenser which upon command will positively and surely dispense one bagto the individual who makes `a purchase from the machine. One of theimportant attributes of my invention is that it is substantiallyfoolproof in operation. If it is filled with bags, it will alwaysdispense one bag at a time each time a demand is made for a bag. Thereis nothing more frustrating to Ia purchaser using an autom-atie vendingmachine of the type described than to put a coin in the slot to energizethe machine and have the machine fail to deliver a bag prior to the timethat delivery of the purchased material is made. If the material isdelivered without the purchaser having anything to put it in,V it justmakes a mess. Not only is the purchaser unable to use the material whenit is just dumped out of the delivery chute but somebody will be forcedto clean up the debris and try to pacify the purchaser.

Another advantage of my invention is its simplicity. In etfect, there isonly one moving part, a special dispensing screw, that will move one bagvat a time to a delivery chute and deposit it into the chute free of anypossibility of hanging up on the related structure. The majority of theparts are either standard items readily obtainableror can be fabricatedby simple metal-working operations or the like. This makes the dispenserlow in first cost and facilitates any maintenance or rehabilitation thatmay be necessary after a substantial period of use. Little, if any,maintenance is necessary in order to keep the dispenser operatingproperly.

vFurther objects and Vadvantages will become apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

rTice FIGURE l is `a perspective view of an embodiment of my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial cross section taken longitudinally through theembodiment of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side view of the delivery end of the threadedroll which transports and delivers the bags;

FIGURE 4 is an end view of the roll of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a partial section taken Iat line 5*-5 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a partial section taken at line 6-6y of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 7 is a schematic diagram of the electrical wiring of thedispenser and its relationship to the material Vending machine of whichit is -a part.

Referring to the drawings, the illustrated embodiment comprises a sheetmetal frame generally 10. Within the lower part of the frame is a chute11 along which the dispensed bags slide from the high rearwardly end tothe front opening 12 where they can be received by purchasers using thevending machine. It might be emphasized that the structure illustratedis for installation inside the over all cabinet of the vending machine(not shown). Front opening 12 is in registry with a correspondingopening in the vending machine cabinet with the illustrated dispenserstructure per se being concealed Within that cabinet.

A magazine for holding the bags 13 is defined by guides 14 and 15 onsidewalls 16 and 17 of frame 10' and bottom guides 18, 19, and 20 onbottom plate 21. Bottom plate 21 is supported on cross members 22 and 23forming a part of frame 10.

Extending the length of the magazine parallel to guides 14, 15, and18-20 is `a threaded roll generally 26. The roll is supported on a pairof rollers 27, the ends of which are of reduced size forming stub axlessuitably journ-aled in cross members 22 and 23. As best seen in FIGURE3, roll 26 is formed with deep square threads. The space 28 between eachadjacent turn of the thread is slightly larger than the bottom thicknessof the folded bags 13. As best seen in FIGURES -5 and 6, the root 29 ofthe threads of roll 26 is positioned just below a plane defined by thetop of guides 18-20. The distance between that plane 'and root 29 is notcritical but in no event should root 29 be higher than the plane definedby the tops of guides 118-20. Preferably root 29 is close to the planeof the guides so as to provide `as much support as possible for the bags13 by the turns of the thread on roll 26.

The diameter of roll 26, the depth of the threads from the outsidethereof to root 29, and the width of spaces 2S between the threads allwill depend on the size of the bags to be used in the magazine. For aten pound ice bag I have used rolls both three `and six inches indiameter. The three inch diameter roll had a root diameter ofthree-quarters of an inch and a thread spacing (28) of about one-eighthof an inch.

At the end of roll 26 above the high portion of chute 11, the threadterminates at edge 31. Extending from this end of roll 26 is a wing 32which extends angularly outwardly from the end of the roll and alsoextends rearwardly with respect to the direction of rotation of the rollas indicated by arrows 33. In the illustrated embodiment the wing 32 iscut and bent from a sheet of metal which also forms a plate 34 flushwith the exposed end of the threads. A pair of countersunk screws 35secured plate 34 and wing 32 to the end of roll 26.

Roll 26 has a shaft 38 extending from the end thereof opposite the freeend to which wing 32 is secured. Shaft 38 is operatively connected to anelectric motor 39 to rotate the roll as hereafter described. An arm 40projects frorn shaft 38 to operate a switch 41 secured to the 3 innerside of the end of frame 1t). Switch 41 has an actuating member 42 whichis positioned so as to contact the end of arm as the arm rotated about acircular path with the rotation of roll 26. Switch 41 is a normallyclosed switch and is opened when arm 40 contacts actuating member 42.

Spaced beyond wing 32 and over the upper end of chute 11 is an invertedU-shaped portion 45 of frame 10. A pair of wires 46 extend across the Uportion 45. Wires 46 act as defiectors so that as bags 13 are dischargedfrom the magazine by wing 32 they will fall into chute 11.

A backup plate 48 of a width substantially corresponding to the width ofbags 13 is received within the magazine. The bottom of plate 48 extendsdown into the threads on roller 26. An arm 49 is attached to and extendsupwardly from backup plate 48 over the tops of bags 13. Two fingers, 50and 51, extend downwardly below the level of the tops of bags 13 tosupport the bags in an erect position. About one-third of the bags restagainst finger 51. A second third rest against finger 50 and theremainder rest against arm 49.

Extending from one side of backup plate 48 is an actuator 52. Within thepath of travel of actuator 52 is an operating button 54 of a switch 53.Switch 53 is a single pull double throw switch. When operating button 54is free, the switch arm is set on one contact. When operating button 54is depressed by actuator 52, the switch arm is moved to another contact.

Referring to FIGURE 7 the bag dispenser is used in conjunction with avending machine generally 55. Vending machine 55 will have suitableelectrically operated material dispensing equipment 56, the particularform of which is no part of the present invention. It will also have aswitch 57 which is momentarily closed when a coin is placed in thevending machine. Switch 57 is closed a brief period of time beforematerial is dispensed from the vending machine 55 and calls for thedispensing of a bag in sufficient time to allow the purchaser to openthe bag and position it to receive the material being sold by theVending machine.

A pair of electrical wires 60 and 61 are connected to a suitable sourceof electrical power. Wire 61 is connected to switch 53. From one contactof switch 53 a wire 62 connects to the electrical equipment 56 ofdispenser 55 and to motor 39. The other contact 63 of switch 53 isconnected by a wire 64 to a signal light 65. A wire 66 connects light 65with wire 60. Wire 60 also connects to the dispensing equipment 56 andswitches 41 and 57. A wire connects the opposite side of switches 41 and57 with motor 39.

In the operation of the dispenser, the magazine is tilled with bags. Onebag is inserted into each of spaces 28 between the threads of roll 26with backup plate 48 in the rearward most space between the threads.About one-third of the bags will be ahead of finger 51, a second thirdwill be between fingers 50 and 51 while the remaining third will bebetween arm 49 and finger 5t). The bags are held in position by thethreads of roller 26 with the upper ends of the bags being supported byfingers 50 and 51 as well as by arm 49. The bags are aligned by guides16, 17, and 18-20.

When a purchaser inserts a coin into vending machine 55 the electricalequipment 56 therein first closes switch 57. Switch 57 energizes motor39 to commence the rotation of roll 26 in the direction indicated byarrows 33. The closing of switch 57 need only be momentary since as soonas arm 40 moves away from actuating member 42 of switch 41, switch 41will close to maintain the energizing of motor 39. Motor 39 willcontinue to run until roller 26 has rotated one revolution at which timearm 40 again will contact actuating member 42 to de-energize motor 39.During this one revolution one bag will be dispensed. After a suitableperiod of time to permit the purchaser to open the bag and position itto receive the material from the vending machine 55, the

4 electrical equipment 56 will then operate to dispense a predeterminedquantity of material as paid for by the purchaser.

During the one revolution of roller 26 the bag 13a (FIGURE 3) that is inthe end slot 28 will be dispensed. As edge 31 of the thread of theroller passes behind bag 13a, the bag will be free to fall into chute 11to slide out where the purchaser can reach it. To make sure that the bag13a falls clear of the roller and does not hang up, I have provided wing32 to push the bag 13a away from the roller 26. With the rotation ofroller 26 in the direction indicated by arrows 33, the leading edge 68of plate 34 passes behind bag 13a. The continued rotation of roller 26causes wing 32 also to pass behind bag 13a and to push the bag outwardlyaway from the roller. It of course will be apparent that as bag 13a isdispensed, bag 13b will be moved to the slot previously occupied by bag13a. Bag 13C will be moved to the slot previously occupied by bag 13b,etc. Thus, each time that the vending machine calls for a bag by themomentary closure of switch 47, roller 26 will rotate one revolution todrop one bag into chute 11 for delivery to the purchaser.

Should the opera-tor of the vending machine fail to replenish the bags13, a lack of available bags to be dispensed is signaled by theactuation of switch 53 by actuator 52 on backup plate 48. Referring toFIGURE 7 this actuation of switch 53 moves the switch arm to contact 63which prevents a further energizing of either the electrical dispensingequipment 56 or motor 39. At the same time it turns on light 65 tosignal that the machine is empty of bags. Upon being notified by signal65 the operator can open the vending machine case, return backup plate48 to the end of roll 26 adjacent motor 39 and refill the roller withthe bags. When backup plate 48 was moved away from switch 53, switch 53returned to the position illustrated in FIGURE 7 so as to put themachine back in operation.

The foregoing description of a lspecific embodiment is for the purposeof complying with 35 U.S.C. 112 and should not be construed as imposingunnecessary limitations upon the appended claims, inasmuch asmodifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilledin the art.

I claim:

1. A device for dispensing bags, said device comprising: a magazinehaving a pair of side walls spaced from each other a distance in excessof the width of the bags; a threaded roll extending longitudinally ofsaid magazine along the bottom thereof, the threads of said roll beingspaced in excess of the thickness of said bags whereby bags may beinserted in said magazine between said walls with the bottom portion ofthe bags being received between the threads, said roll terminating at afree end; means to rotatably support said roll in said magazine; meansadjacent the roll to support said bags received between said threads;switch actuating means connected to said roll and adapted Ito rotateabout a circular path; and power means including a first electricalswitch having an actuating member positioned in said path and adapted toclose said switch upon being actuated by said actuating means, a secondelectrical switch connected in parallel with said switch, and anelectrical motor operatively connected to said roll, said switches beingconnected to said motor to start said motor upon a momentary closing ofsaid second switch with the rotation of said shaft closing said iirstswitch to continue to energize said motor until said roll has made onerevolution whereupon said first switch will open to de-energze saidmotor.

2. A device for dispensing bags in response to the momentary closing ofa first electrical switch, said device comprising: a frame; a magazinemounted on said frame and having a pair of side guides spaced from eachother a distance in excess of the width of the bags and a pair of spacedbottom guides, all of said guides extending the length of said magazine;a threaded roll extending between said bottom guides and generallyparallel thereto, the root of the threads of the roll being no higherthan a plane extending between the tops of the bottom guides, thethreads of said roll being spaced in excess of the thickness of saidbags, said roll terminating at a free end, whereby bags may be insertedin said magazine between said guides with the bottom portion of the bagsbeing received between the threads; a backup member received in saidthread and extending upwardly to support the bags in said roll; aplurality of rollers rotatably supporting said roll; a wing attached toand extending angularly from said free end of said roll; a shaftattached to the other end of said roll; actuating means connected tosaid shaft to move about a circular path with the rotation of saidshaft; a chute below said free end of said roll; and power meansincluding an electric motor connected to said shaft, and a secondelectrical switch having an actuating member, said second switch beingmounted on said frame with said actuating member positioned in saidpath, said 20 second switch being normally closed and being opened bysaid actuating means yat one point during the rotation of said shaft,said power means being adapted to connect said second switch in parallelwith said first switch and said two switches in series with said motorwhereby a momentary closing of the iirst switch will energize the motorto commence rotating said shaft and close said second switch when thenwill energize said motor after said rst switch opens and said shaft willrotate for one revolution at which time said actuating means will opensaid second switch to de-energize said motor, and during the revolutionof the roll the bag in the thread adjacent said free end will be movedout of the threads, tossed clear by said wing and dropped into saidchute.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS562,754 Peacock Aug. 8, 1893 2,831,407 Pittman et al. Apr. 22, 1958FOREIGN PATENTS 1,129,428 France Jan. 21, 1957

